Coveted quarterback recruit spurns Vanderbilt, picks LSU

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 5:10pm

Staff reports

Gunner Kiel, one of the nation’s top football recruits, spurned Vanderbilt and committed to LSU late Tuesday afternoon.

A five-star quarterback from the Indianapolis area, Kiel originally committed to Indiana but reopened his recruiting several weeks ago. According to numerous reports, his final choice came down to LSU, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder passed for 2,517 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for 482 yards and 11 touchdowns for Columbus Easy High School. The Indiana Star named him Indiana Mr. Football.

According to reports, Kiel plans to enroll at LSU in January and take part in spring football drills.

The Tigers are the No. 1 team in the country and are preparing to play Alabama in the BCS championship game.

Jordan Rodgers, who started the Commodores’ final six games of the regular season, will return in 2012. Vanderbilt also has Austyn Carta-Samuels, a former starter at Wyoming, who sat out this season following his transfer.